Tuesday, March 19, 2024

[Botany • 2024] Phanera roseoalba • A New Species and A New Record of Phanera (Fabaceae) in Laos, with A Lectotypification and A New Combination for P. involucrans


Phanera roseoalba  Tk.Yamam.,Tagane & Soulad.,

in Yamamoto, Souladeth, Soutakone, Kongxaisavath et Tagane, 2024. 

Abstract
A new species of Phanera (Fabaceae), P. roseoalba from the Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos, is described and illustrated, along with its vernacular name and preliminary conservation status. In addition, a distribution of P. nervosa is recorded in Laos for the first time, and a second-step lectotypification is made for Bauhinia involucrans, with a proposal of its new combination P. involucrans.­

Caesalpinioideae, Flora, Indochina, taxonomy, Eudicots




Takenori Yamamoto, Phetlasy Souladeth, Khammon Soutakone, Deuanta Kongxaisavath and Shuichiro Tagane. 2024. A New Species and A New Record of Phanera (Fabaceae) in Laos, with A Lectotypification and A New Combination for P. involucrans.  Phytotaxa. 640(2); 81-89. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.640.2.1 

[Botany • 2024] Stigmatodon medeirosii (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New hyperepilithic bromeliad from granitic inselbergs of Minas Gerais, Brazil.


Stigmatodon medeirosii  

in Couto et Gonella. 2024. 
 
Abstract
Stigmatodon medeirosii (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae), a new hyperepilithic species, restricted to vertical rock walls of the inselbergs of eastern Minas Gerais, in the medium Rio Doce River basin, southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters and affinities of the new species are discussed, accompanied by notes on its ecology, geographic distribution, and conservation status. The new species is most similar to S. fontellanus and S. lemeanus from Espírito Santo state but distinguished by a set of vegetative and reproductive characters. Following the criteria of the IUCN Red List, S. medeirosii is to be assessed as Vulnerable (VU), reinforcing the need for attention to the conservation of inselbergs and associated vegetation in eastern Minas Gerais.

Atlantic Forest, conservation, rock-climbing plants, rock outcrops, Vrieseinae, Monocots



 

Dayvid Rodrigues Couto and Paulo Minatel Gonella. 2024. Stigmatodon medeirosii, A New hyperepilithic bromeliad (Tillandsioideae) from granitic inselbergs of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 637(3); 242-250. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.637.3.2

[Entomology • 2024] Copelatus espinhasso, C. florae & C. panguana • Underestimated Diversity and Range Size of Diving Beetles in Tank Bromeliads—Coleoptera of ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle (Dytiscidae)


Copelatus espinhasso sp. nov. (Brazil), 
Copelatus florae sp. nov. (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama) and 
Copelatus panguana sp. nov. (Peru)

Hájek, Alarie, Benetti, Hamada, Springer, Hendrich, Villastrigo, Torres, Basantes & Balke, 2024

Abstract
Tank bromeliads provide a vast amount of stagnant water high up in the Neotropical forest canopy. However, the aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in this specialized habitat remains poorly explored. Here, we study obligatorily bromeliadicolous species of the diving beetle genus Copelatus Erichson, 1832. We review the known species Copelatus bromeliarum Scott, 1912 (Trinidad and Venezuela) and Copelatus bimaculatus Resende & Vanin, 1991 (Brazil). We describe three new species: Copelatus espinhasso sp. nov. (Brazil), Copelatus florae sp. nov. (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama) including its larva, and Copelatus panguana sp. nov. (Peru). Based on their male genital morphology, these species form a distinct clade within the genus. Other shared characters such as compact drop-shaped habitus, shortened appendages, and reduction of natatory setae on legs are interpreted as adaptations for what we call the ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle. We document the thin water layer between leaf axils as the preferred habitat of both Copelatus adults and larvae, and not necessarily the central tank.

Neotropical forest canopy, tank bromeliads, specialized Coleoptera, diving beetles, new species

Habitat of Copelatus florae in Alto de Piedra, Panama.
A, general view of the pasture with solitary trees. B, large cf. Werauhia bromeliad. C, collecting of beetles from leaf axils. D, specimen of C. florae crawling on the leaf.


Jiří Hájek, Yves Alarie, Cesar J. Benetti, Neusa Hamada, Monika Springer, Lars Hendrich, Adrián Villastrigo, Rodulfo Ospina Torres, Michael S. Basantes and Michael Balke. 2024. Underestimated Diversity and Range Size of Diving Beetles in Tank Bromeliads—Coleoptera of ‘hygrofloric’ lifestyle (Dytiscidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 200(3); 720–735. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad093

[Arachnida • 2024] Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachan • A New Species of the Genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) from Thailand


Scorpiops (Euscorpiopskrachan 

Nawanetiwong, Košulič, Warrit, Lourenço & Ythier, 2024

Abstract
A new speciesScorpiops (Euscorpiopskrachan sp. nov., belonging to the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 is described based on three adult males and one adult female collected in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. The new species presents most features exhibited by scorpions of the subgenus Euscorpiops and can be characterized notably by a very small size, a sexual dimorphism strongly marked with male pedipalps elongated, a distinct trichobothrial pattern and other morphological features. This new taxon may represent one endemic element for the scorpion fauna of Thailand. Aspects of the ecology and distribution of the new species are discussed and compared with that of other relative Scorpiops species.

Key words: Description, Kaeng Krachan National Park, morphology, scorpion, Southeast Asia, wet forest

Scorpiops (Euscorpiopskrachan sp. nov.
 A, B male holotype, habitus, dorsal A and ventral B aspects C, D female paratype, habitus, dorsal C and ventral D aspects. Scale bar 1 cm.

Family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905

Genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861
Subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980

 Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachan Nawanetiwong, Košulič, Warrit, Lourenço & Ythier, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species exhibits the general characteristics of the subgenus Euscorpiops (Vachon 1980; Soleglad and Sissom 2001). Total length of male and female 21.7–26.9 and 25.9 mm, respectively, defining the new species as very small in comparison to most other species of the subgenus. General coloration brownish yellow; female darker than male; chelicerae yellow without any variegated spots. Pectines with 6–7 and 5–5 teeth in male and female, respectively; two marginal and two middle lamellae present; fulcra present. Sexual dimorphism strongly marked, with male pedipalps markedly elongated; chela length/width ratio ...

Etymology: The specific name refers to the National Park of Kaeng Krachan where the new species was collected.

Scorpiops (Euscorpiopskrachan sp. nov., alive with pre-juveniles (instar I).


Wasin Nawanetiwong, Ondřej Košulič, Natapot Warrit, Wilson R. Lourenço and Eric Ythier. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861, Subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Thailand (Scorpiones, Scorpiopidae). ZooKeys. 1193: 161-170. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1193.113398

[Entomology • 2024] Acromantis lobofemorata • A New Species of Acromantis Saussure, 1870 (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae) from India


Acromantis lobofemorata 
Kamila & Sureshan, 2024


Abstract
Acromantis lobofemorata sp. nov., a new praying mantis species of the subfamily Acromantinae (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae), is described from the Southern states of India. The specimens of the present species were misidentified and referred as Acromantis insularis on several occasions by earlier workers in India. The new species can be easily identified from other species of the genus by the presence of a mid-lobe on the upper margin of the fore femora, a small medial mesofemoral lobe and well-developed denticles on pronotum laterally. A preliminary key for the identification of the Indian Acromantis species is also provided.

Keywords: Acromantis, new species, praying mantids, south India


Ambayathingal P. Kamila and Pavittu Meethal Sureshan. 2024. Description of A New Species of Acromantis Saussure, 1870 (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae) from India. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. 10(2); 273–284. DOI: 10.61186/jibs.10.2.273

 

[Botany • 2024] Holcoglossum clausum (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Aeridinae) • A New Species from Southern Shan State, Myanmar with Taxonomic Notes on Holcoglossum himalaicum


Holcoglossum clausum  K.P.Wojtas, C.Bandara & Kumar,
  
in Wojtas, Bandara et Kumar, 2024. 
 facebook.com/SahaniPankaj

Abstract
A new species of Holcoglossum is described and illustrated from Myanmar with colour plates, line drawing and photographs. The comparison and differentiation are made with H. semiteretifolium and H. himalaicumHolcoglossum clausum is allied to H. himalaicum owing to the similar coloration and the long spur, however, they differ based on the size of the petals (7–8 mm × 2–3 mm vs. 4–5 mm × 2 mm), the length of the petiole (1.8 cm vs. 3–4 cm) and the length of the stem (4 cm vs. 5–24 cm). From H. semiteretifolium the new species can be distinguished by its growth (pendant vs. upright), the much longer leaves (45 cm vs. 15 cm) and the longer spur (1.3 cm vs. 6.4 mm). Furthermore, we reduce H. gaoligongense and Pendulorchis gaoligongense var. lushuiensis to the synonymy of H. himalaicum, as there are no discernible morphological differences between them, and they both inhabit the same climate type, namely the subtropical highland climate.

Epidendroideae, Holcoglossum clausum, Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot, wild orchid trade, Vandeae, Monocots




K. Philip Wojtas, Champika Bandara and Pankaj Kumar. 2024. A New Species of Holcoglossum (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae) from Southern Shan State, Myanmar with Taxonomic Notes on Holcoglossum himalaicum.  Phytotaxa. 638(3); 257-267. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.638.3.5 
  www.linkedin.com/posts/pankaj-kumar-phd-fls-ba147515_a-new-species-of-holcoglossum-orchidaceae-activity-7170586551263981569-ryoc?trk=public_profile
 facebook.com/companyofenvironment76/posts/864294729042576

[Paleontology • 2024] Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum • An unexpected early-diverging iguanodontian dinosaur (Ornithischia: Ornithopoda) from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal


Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum 
Rotatori, Ferrari, Sequero, Camilo, Mateus & Moreno-Azanza., 2024

reconstruction by Victor Carvalho

ABSTRACT
Iguanodontia is a diverse clade of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs that were speciose and abundant during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Although the monophyly of Iguanodontia is well supported, their internal relationships have sparked heated debate due to several phylogenetic paradigm shifts. Late Jurassic basally branching iguanodontians in particular are not well understood in terms of their systematic affinities and evolutionary relevance. Their fossil record in Europe is meager compared with North America, with only a few species currently recognized. Two taxa are currently known from the Upper Jurassic of England, the basally branching styracosternan Cumnoria prestwichii and the putative dryosaurid Callovosaurus leedsi. In the Upper Jurassic of Portugal, the styracosternan Draconyx loureiroi and the dryosaurid Eousdryosaurus nanohallucis are presently the only described basally branching iguanodontians. Here we report a new species of early diverging iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic Lourinhã Formation of western-central Portugal. The new species is clearly distinguished from all other coeval taxa by an exclusive combination of characters that include a tibia with a cnemial crest that is directed craniolaterally and a fibular condyle that is angled at 90° with respect to the proximal epiphysis, a fibula with symmetrical proximal margins, and a reduced metatarsal I. The phylogenetic relationships of the Lourinhã iguanodontian were explored using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. The two analyses recover the Lourinhã iguanodontian as an indeterminate dryomorphan, with more precise affinities precluded due to the current available material. Body size is estimated between 3 and 4 meters for the holotype specimen, adding to the diversity of small ornithopods already recognized in the paleoichnological record of the Lourinhã Formation.

Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum 
reconstruction by Victor Carvalho


Filippo Maria Rotatori, Lucrezia Ferrari, Cristina Sequero, Bruno Camilo, Octávio Mateus and Miguel Moreno-Azanza. 2024. An unexpected early-diverging iguanodontian dinosaur (Ornithischia, Ornithopoda) from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e2310066. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2310066

[Botany • 2024] Dahlia gypsicola (Asteraceae: Coreopsideae) • Another New Species of the Genus Dahlia: are we close to knowing its total diversity?

 

Dahlia gypsicola J. Reyes, Ortiz-Brunel & Art. Castro, 

in Reyes-Santiago, Ortiz-Brunel, Lichter-Marck et Castro-Castro, 2024.
 Photographs by Arturo Castro-Castro. 

Abstract
Background and Aims: The genus Dahlia is culturally and economically appreciated. The botanical explorations in richness areas for Dahlia still provide taxonomic novelties. The aims of this communication are to describe the new species D. gypsicola, and compare it morphologically and ecologically with D. calzadana, providing a distribution map, illustrations, an identification key for Dahlia of the Cañada-Mixteca biocultural region in Oaxaca, Mexico, and a species accumulation analysis.

Methods: Our study was based on field exploration, herbarium material revision, and analysis of living collections. The conservation status was determined based on range size, and criteria and categories of the IUCN Red List. To measure the sampling effort, a predictive species richness analysis was calculated considering 41 taxa of Dahlia and 2297 herbarium records collected between 1791-2021.

Key results: Dahlia gypsicola is a member of Dahlia section Dahlia, morphologically related to D. calzadana. It differs by the herbaceous habit, semi-succulent leaves and stems, smaller petioles and capitulum, more capitula per synflorescence, and fewer disk florets per capitulum. Moreover, both species are allopatric and do not share ecological preferences and phenology. The category of Critically Endangered (CR B1a) is proposed for D. gypsicola, and Endangered (EN B1a) for D. calzadana. The species prediction richness shows that the number of known Dahlia species is almost complete: the inventory is approaching 95% and the predicted number of species is close to 43.

Conclusions: A complete knowledge of the diversity in Dahlia could enhance plant breeding programs with economic and cultural impacts, because the possibilities of generating new cultivars are many. It is recommended to continue the explorations and increase botanical collections; undescribed species may exist where gypsophyte centers of endemism overlap with richness areas of Dahlia.

Keywords: Balsas Basin, gypsicolous flora, Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Sierra Madre del Sur, Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley


Dahlia gypsicola J. Reyes, Ortiz-Brunel & Art. Castro.
A. complete branch; B. rhizome and tuberous roots; C. frontal and lateral view of a head and involucre; D. dorsal and ventral view of ray florets; E. disc floret variations; F. androecium and gynoecium details; G. adaxial and abaxial views of leaf; H. fruiting head; I. dorsal and ventral views of cypselae.
Illustrated by Ariadna Arenas and Brenda A. Guerrero Rivera.

Dahlia gypsicola J. Reyes, Ortiz-Brunel & Art. Castro.
A. habit and habitat; B. rootstock and thickened roots; C-D. simple and trifoliate leaves; E-G. capitulum from various angles.
 Photographs by Arturo Castro-Castro. 

Dahlia gypsicola J. Reyes, Ortiz-Brunel & Art. Castro, sp. nov.

Dahlia gypsicola is similar to D. calzadana but differs by its herbaceous habit, 0.5-0.95 m tall (vs. subshrub, 0.4-1.5 m tall); semi-succulent leaves and stems (vs. succulent); simple leaves 9.5-15 × 2-5.5 cm, obtuse, serrate and glabrous margins, petiole 2.5-7 cm long (vs. (2.2-)9-15 × 3-9.5 cm, often slightly hastate, crenate-serrate and ciliate margins, petioles (4-)6.1-9.5 cm long); trisected leaves 10-22 × 3.5-5.5 cm, petiole 4-6 cm long, basal segments 2-3 × 1-2 cm, terminal segment 4.8-5.5 × 2-2.5 cm, petiolule 1-2 cm long (vs. (11-)16-23 × 11-17 cm, petiole 7-11 cm long, basal segments 5-9.5 × 3-5.3 cm, terminal seg-ment 6.5-14.8 × 4-7.4 cm, petiolule 1-4 cm long); synflorescence (1-)3-9 capitula (vs. 1-3); capitulum 2-4 cm wide across the extended rays (vs. 4.5-7.5 cm); disk florets 36-46, funnel-shaped (vs. 40-67, tubular). 

Etymology: the name refers to the gypsum soil substrate upon which the species grows, an uncommon habitat for Dahlia


Jerónimo Reyes-Santiago, Juan Pablo Ortiz-Brunel, Isaac H. Lichter-Marck and Arturo Castro-Castro. 2024. Another New Species of the Genus Dahlia (Asteraceae, Coreopsideae): are we close to knowing its total diversity? Acta Botanica Mexicana. 128: e1924. DOI: 10.21829/abm131.2024.2270

¡Descubren en Oaxaca otra especie nueva Dahlia
¡Flor nacional de México!

  Resumen: 
Antecedentes y Objetivos: El género Dahlia es cultural y económicamente apreciado. Las exploraciones botánicas en áreas de riqueza para Dahlia siguen aportando novedades taxonómicas. Los objetivos de esta comunicación son describir a la nueva especie D. gypsicola, y compararla morfológica y ecológicamente con D. calzadana, proveer un mapa de distribución, ilustraciones, una clave de identificación para Dahlia de la región biocultural Cañada-Mixteca en Oaxaca, México, y análisis de acumulación de especies.
Métodos: Nuestro estudio se basó en exploraciones de campo, revisión de especímenes de herbario y análisis de colecciones vivas. Se determinó el estado de conservación considerando el área de distribución y criterios y categorías de la Lista Roja de la UICN. Para medir el esfuerzo de muestreo se realizó un análisis predictivo de riqueza considerando 41 especies de Dahlia y 2297 registros de herbario recolectados entre 1791-2021.
Resultados clave: Dahlia gypsicola es miembro de Dahlia sección Dahlia; relacionada morfológicamente con D. calzadana. Se diferencia por el hábito herbáceo, hojas y tallos semisuculentos, peciolos y capítulos más pequeños, más capítulos por sinflorescencia y menos flores del disco por capítulo. Además, ambas especies son alopátricas y no comparten preferencias ecológicas ni fenología. Se propone la categoría En Peligro Crítico (CR B1a) para D. gypsicola y En Peligro (EN B1a) para D. calzadana. Los predictores de riqueza muestran que el número de especies conocidas de Dahlia está casi completo: el inventario se acerca al 95% y el número previsto de especies es cercano a 43.
Conclusiones: Un conocimiento completo de la diversidad de Dahlia podría potenciar programas de fitomejoramiento con impactos económicos y culturales, porque las posibilidades de generar nuevos cultivares son amplias. Se recomienda continuar explorando e incrementar las colecciones botánicas, porque pueden existir especies no descritas donde los centros de endemismo de gipsófitas se superponen con áreas de riqueza de Dahlia.
Cuenca del Balsas,flora gipsícola,Santiago Juxtlahuaca,Sierra Madre del Sur,Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán

[Crustacea • 2024] Caligoplagusia okinawa • A New Genus and Species of A Submarine Cave Crab of the Family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 (Brachyura: Grapsoidea) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan

  

Caligoplagusia okinawa 
Fujita & Naruse, 2024
 
ヨミノショウジンガニ  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5410.3.8
 
Abstract
Caligoplagusia okinawa n. gen. & n. sp., assigned to the brachyuran family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 is described on the basis of a male and a female specimens collected from a semi-submerged marine cave on the limestone shore of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. The new monotypic genus is most similar to Euchirograpsus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 and Miersiograpsus Türkay, 1978 in that the frontal margin lacks a deep sublateral cleft adjacent to the orbit, but differs significantly by its subhexagonal carapace shape, the anterolateral margin of the carapace with three teeth including the external orbital tooth, the anterior margin of ambulatory meri each armed with a row of large teeth, and the greatly reduced eyes. The pale body colour, reduced eyes, the very elongate antennal flagellum, and long ambulatory legs are all typical brachyuran adaptations to living in cave environments. This is the first cave-dwelling species of the family Plagusiidae.

Crustacea, Thoracotremata, anchialine, dark environment, cryptic fauna

 
Caligoplagusia okinawa n. gen. & n. sp.
 「ヨミノショウジンガニ」


 Yoshihisa Fujita and Tohru Naruse. 2024. A New Genus and Species of A Submarine Cave Crab of the Family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsoidea) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan.  Zootaxa. 5410(3); 408-418. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5410.3.8
Researchgate.net/publication/378179989_A_new_genus_and_species_of_a_submarine_cave_crab_of_the_family_Plagusiidae_from_Okinawa_Ryukyu_Islands_SW_Japan

[Diplopoda • 2023] Illacme socal • A New Species of Illacme (Siphonophorida: Siphonorhinidae) from southern California


 Illacme socal  Marek & Shear, 

in Marek, Hall, Lee, Bailey, Berger, Kasson et Shear, 2023.

 Abstract
The millipede fauna inhabiting deep soil are poorly known. They are small and threadlike, slow moving, lacking pigmentation, and rarely encountered due to their obscure underground way of life. One family, the Siphonorhinidae, encompasses four genera and 12 species in a fragmentary distribution in California, southern Africa, Madagascar, the Malay Archipelago, and Indo-Burma. The family is represented in the Western Hemisphere by a single genus, Illacme Cook & Loomis, 1928 from California, with its closest known relative, Nematozonium filum Verhoeff, 1939, from southern Africa. A new species of this family is documented from soil microhabitats in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Illacme socal Marek & Shear, sp. nov. Based on this discovery and the recent documentation of other endogean millipede species, we show that these grossly understudied subterranean fauna represent the next frontier of discovery. However, they are threatened by encroaching human settlement and habitat loss, and conservation of this species and other subterranean fauna is of high importance.

Key words: Colobognatha, Illacme plenipes, interstitial, Myriapoda, Siphonorhinus, super-elongation

Class Diplopoda de Blainville in Gervais, 1844
Subclass Chilognatha Latreille, 1802/1803
Infraclass Helminthomorpha Pocock, 1887
Subterclass Colobognatha Brandt, 1834

Order Siphonophorida Hoffman, 1980
Family Siphonorhinidae Cook, 1895

Genus Illacme Cook & Loomis, 1928

Habitat of Illacme socal sp. nov. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Orange County, California
 A California live oak woodland habitat surrounded by chaparral shrubland B close up of oak woodland habitat
C type locality beneath oak canopy D an I. socal sp. nov. individual (center) encountered beneath the humus layer and embedded within the underlying soil matrix.



 Illacme socal Marek & Shear, sp. nov.
  Vernacular name: Los Angeles Thread Millipede 
 
Diagnosis: Adult males of I. socal sp. nov. are distinct from I. plenipes and I. tobini based on the combination of: Metazonites slightly wider than prozonites, with faintly enlarged paranota (Suppl. material 5: fig. S17), not subequal in width as in I. plenipes nor noticeably wider as in I. tobini. Ozopore peritreme with two large backwards projecting spines (sp, Suppl. material 5: fig. S20) as in I. plenipes, not lacking two large spines as in I. tobini. Ozopore ringed with ca. 14 setae. Ozopores situated inside (mediad) lateral margin, oriented dorsally (Suppl. material 5: fig. S17) as in I. plenipes, not dorsolaterally and near lateral margin as in I. tobini. Metazonite posterior margin (limbus) lined with anchor-shaped, posteriorly projecting spines as in I. plenipes (an, Suppl. material 5: figs S17, S20); spines not quadrate-shaped as in I. tobini. Posterior margin of metazonite straight as in I. plenipes, not sinuate with anteriorly curved paramedial margins as in I. tobini (Suppl. material 5: fig. S17). Telson densely covered with ...

Etymology: The species name refers to its type locality in Southern California, commonly shortened to SoCal.


Paul E. Marek, Charity L. Hall, Cedric Lee, James Bailey, Matt C. Berger, Matt T. Kasson and William Shear. 2023. A New Species of Illacme from southern California (Siphonophorida, Siphonorhinidae). ZooKeys. 1167: 265-291. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1167.102537
 new.nsf.gov/science-matters/researchers-uncover-new-millipede-species-under

Monday, March 18, 2024

[Ecology • 2024] A Biogeographical Appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago Ecoregion

 
Location and extent of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) 
Examples of SEAMA endemics. (a) Rhinolophus mabuensis (AM), (b) Chamaetylas choloensis (JB), (c) Nothophryne inagoensis (WC), (d) Atheris mabuensis (WRB), (e) Epamera malaikae (TCEC), f) Rhampholeon maspictus (JB), (g) Nadzikambia baylissi (WRB), (h) Maritonautes namuliensis (JB), (i) Euphorbia mlanjeana (ID), (j) Widdringtonia whytei (JB), (k) Encephalartos gratus (JB).

in Bayliss, Bittencourt-Silva, Branch, Bruessow, Collins, Congdon, Conradie, ... et Platts, 2024.


Abstract
Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the ‘South East Africa Montane Archipelago’ (SEAMA) as a distinct ecoregion of global biological importance. The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the largest (Mt Mabu) and smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically unique montane grasslands. Endemic taxa include 127 plants, 45 vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and 45 invertebrate species (butterflies, freshwater crabs), and two endemic genera of plants and reptiles. Existing dated phylogenies of endemic animal lineages suggests this endemism arose from divergence events coinciding with repeated isolation of these mountains from the pan-African forests, together with the mountains’ great age and relative climatic stability. Since 2000, the SEAMA has lost 18% of its primary humid forest cover (up to 43% in some sites)—one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. Urgently rectifying this situation, while addressing the resource needs of local communities, is a global priority for biodiversity conservation.

Location and extent of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) showing core sites in red, and an outline boundary of the convex hull of the ecoregion (created using QGIS version 3.28.12 LTR https://qgis.org/en/site/).

Examples of SEAMA endemics. (a) Rhinolophus mabuensis (AM), (b) Chamaetylas choloensis (JB), (c) Nothophryne inagoensis (WC), (d) Atheris mabuensis (WRB), (e) Epamera malaikae (TCEC), f) Rhampholeon maspictus (JB), (g) Nadzikambia baylissi (WRB), (h) Maritonautes namuliensis (JB), (i) Euphorbia mlanjeana (ID), (j) Widdringtonia whytei (JB), (k) Encephalartos gratus (JB).

  
 

Julian Bayliss, Gabriela B. Bittencourt-Silva, William R. Branch, Carl Bruessow, Steve Collins, T. Colin E. Congdon, Werner Conradie, Michael Curran, Savel R. Daniels, Iain Darbyshire, Harith Farooq, Lincoln Fishpool, Geoffrey Grantham, Zacharia Magombo, Hermenegildo Matimele, Ara Monadjem, Jose Monteiro, Jo Osborne, Justin Saunders, Paul Smith, Claire N. Spottiswoode, Peter J. Taylor, Jonathan Timberlake, Krystal A. Tolley, Érica Tovela and Philip J. Platts. 2024. A Biogeographical Appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago Ecoregion. Scientific Reports. 14, 5971. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54671-z

  news.mongabay.com/2024/03/new-ecoregion-proposed-for-southern-africas-threatened-sky-islands
  news.mongabay.com/2018/10/secrets-revealed-scientists-explore-unique-isolated-forest-in-mozambique

Subjects: Adaptive radiation, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Climate and Earth system modelling, Conservation biology, Ecological modelling, Ecology, Ecosystem ecology, Ecosystem services, Evolution, Forest ecology, Palaeoecology, Speciation, Taxonomy, Tropical ecology, Zoology

[Botany • 2024] Syzygium crystalliferum (Myrtaceae) • A New Tree Species from Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines


Syzygium crystalliferum  L.Udasco, A.L.Garrino, Aumentado, M.G.Rule and Mansibang, 

in Mansibang, Udasco, Garrino, Aumentado, Rule et Patykowski, 2024. 
 
A new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Luzon, Philippines – Syzygium crystalliferum is described and illustrated here as species new to science. Syzygium crystalliferum is similar to S. purpuriflorum by having sessile leaves, cordate base, terminal inflorescence, large flowers and free perianth lobes. However, it is unique in pustules in dried leaves and inflorescence, and having chartaceous-coriaceous leaf texture, coarser secondary leaf venation, individual flowers borne on a distinct pedicel, shorter hypanthium, smaller calyx lobes, and red fruit turning deep purple when ripe. Preliminary assessment of conservation status following IUCN guidelines assign S. crystalliferum as Critically Endangered (CR). This discovery makes the first addition to Philippine Syzygium in over 70 years since Elmer D. Merrill's last taxonomic work on the genus. Additionally, a lectotype for the basionym Eugenia purpuriflora is designated.

Keywords: Luzon Island, Myrtales, Pantabangan–Carranglan watershed forest reserve, woody plants



Syzygium crystalliferum L.Udasco, A.L.Garrino, Aumentado, M.G.Rule and Mansibang sp. nov. 


Jayson A. Mansibang, Leonardo C. Udasco, Abigail L. Garrino, Jamie Ann M. Aumentado, Mark Gregory Q. Rule and John Patykowski. 2024. Syzygium crystalliferum (Myrtaceae), A New Tree Species from Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines and Lectotypification of Eugenia purpuriflora Elmer. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04227


[Botany • 2024] Octomeria jimenezii (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • A New Species of Octomeria from Ecuador


Octomeria jimenezii & Octomeria pacii

in Vélez-Abarca, Iturralde, Garzón, del Pozo et Baquero, 2024. 
 
Abstract
A new species of Octomeria was found during an orchid research expedition in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon. Octomeria jimenezii is described and illustrated, and information on its distribution, habitat and conservation status is provided. The newly proposed taxon is morphologically similar to O. pacii, from which it differs by the lower lateral lobes, with an obtuse to subacute angle to the anterior margin.

Taxonomy, Octomeria pacii, Southern Ecuador, Monocots



Leisberth Vélez-Abarca, Gabriel A. Iturralde, Henry X. Garzón, Diego Gutiérrez del Pozo and Luis E. Baquero. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Octomeria (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Ecuador. Phytotaxa. 637(1); 106-112. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.637.1.8

[Botany • 2018] Hemiboea crystallina (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Karst Regions of China and Vietnam


Hemiboea crystallina  Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen, 

in Chen, Zhang, Li, Q.-H. Nguyen, T.-H. Nguyen et Shui, 2018. 

Abstract
A new species of Gesneriaceae, Hemiboea crystallina Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen from China and Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is diagnostic by the combination of its inflated nodes, glabrous stem, glabrous and lanceolate leaves, 4-winged involucre, margin-reflected calyx segments and the glabrous surface inside corolla. Among the species without hairy ring inside corolla, its morphological distinctiveness from the most similar species, Hemiboea flaccida Chun ex Z.Y.Li, is discussed.

Keywords: China, Gesneriaceae, Hemiboea crystallina, inflated node, Vietnam, Eudicots

 Hemiboea crystallina Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen.
 A. Habitat; B. Plant; C. Part of stem showing in flated nodes (nd); D. Connate bracts with four wide wings on the involucre (bract; br); E. Corolla tube and calyx segments (ca) withreflected margin; F. Face view of corolla showing the glabrous surface at the mouth of corolla; G. Lateral view of opened corolla showingthe interior surface of corolla tube, stigma and stamens; H. Bird view of opened corolla; I. Young fruits.
Scale bars: A=10 cm; B, C, G. &H=2 cm; D=4 mm, E=16 mm, F=5 mm; I=1 cm. Note: A–H, Y. M. Shui et al. 21812 (KUN and PE); I. CKF Team 217 (KUN)
 (photographed by Yu-Min Shui)

   

Hemiboea crystallina Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen, sp. nov. 

Etymology:—The epithet refers to grow on surface of crystalline rocks of limestone cave.


Wen-Hong Chen, Ya-Mei Zhang, Zhen-Yu Li, Quang-Hieu Nguyen, Tien-Hiep Nguyen, Yu-Min Shui. 2018. Hemiboea crystallina, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from Karst Regions of China and Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 336(1); 95–99. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.336.1.8